Exiled and Alone, An Altmer on the Run Options

[Kane]

Diary of Kiranyae, 3rd of Midyear, 4E201
Fleeing from Summerset

I can’t believe this is how my life has ended up. On the run from my own home, city, and country. And all because I chose to stand up for my ideals, and dared to disagree with the Thalmor and their ruthless methods. No more. I won’t be a part of their wrongdoings and misgivings. But, where to go? The Empire is not what it once was, and the Thalmor have their grimy fingers in just about everyone else’s sweet roll, too....

Whatever. I suppose I’ll head to Hammerfell and go from there. Nothing remains for me here in Firsthold. Those evil bastards saw to that, when they killed the only family I had left. Rest peacefully, brother, and know the cowards who ambushed you have seen their actions returned in kind. And I won’t stop there, either. Someone has to take the fight to these radicals, and when that time comes, I will be there to lend my talents in earnest.

[Kane]

Chapter II – The Cabin in the Woods

The blessing of magic rejuvenated my, so I decided to go for a stroll rather than head back to Riverwood. Lost in thought, I marveled at how much my life had changed in the span of a few months. It seems like only yesterday when brother and I were enjoying life back home in Skywatch. And now...here I am in Skyrim, walking through the dense southern forests, with no real idea on what to do next. Wondering up the road, I barely reacted in time to the wild man that came running towards me, brandishing his axe.

“Skyrim belongs to the Nords!”

I barely ducked out of the way in time, before unleashing a jet of fire at his bare back. Ignoring the acrid smell of burnt hair and flesh, I darted up the small dirt path to the camp where the rest of his buddies were and finished them off shortly. It was a cozy little encampment, tucked neatly under a grove of trees, but with easy view of the road and their prey. Nice little setup. Upon the tree stump between tents, I lay a small satchel that grabbed my attention, and to my surprise, it yielded some helpful alchemical ingredients. The real prize though, was the treasure map I found stuffed into a knapsack. And it led to nearby, too! Just across from the mill in Riverwood.

The sun was beginning to dip into the western sky as I headed back down the road towards the old standing stones I prayed at earlier. I’d noticed a path down to the river bank and another small camp this morning, so that is where I will start my journey back downstream. As I stood by the stones and looked across the river, I could just make out a small cabin resting up off the water. Curious about it, I asked the hunter who set up his camp overlooking the lake, in perfect view of the setting sun.

“I’ve been hunting and fishing in these parts for years.”

“That’s nice. Anything you can tell me about that cabin over there?”

His face paled, “Aye, you’d do well to avoid it. An old woman lives there. She claims ta just be a poor old soul, but I’ve seen strange lights and heard weird noises in the night from over yonder.”

“Why not report it to the guards?”

“Bah. Good luck trying ta get the Falkreath guards all the way out here. Useless louts never leave their village.”

“Hm. Perhaps I will check it out myself, then.”

And I will, too, especially if she is a practicing mage. I’m not a novice, but a wise man once told me never to turn down more knowledge. Knowledge is power in this world, and those with it can do anything. Just down from the hunter’s rest, I found a shallow fjord to cross, and soon I was standing right outside the cabin. Up close, it’s more of a shack. A ramshackle structure without a door, and a roof that looks about to fall in on it’s occupant. The old lady in question was sitting on a chair outside, apparently enjoying the sunny day.

“I’m just a poor old woman, dear. No need to trouble yourself with me.”

“Do you live out here by yourself, ma’am?”

“Yes, I do. It's so nice to have a visitor. I get so lonely out here. It's tough, just scraping by out here. But I make do.”

Something does seem suspicious here. I bid her goodbye, and headed back out into the forest, intent on returning at night. She was definitely hiding something, and I mean to find out what it is. But first, I think I’ll go look for this treasure stash. The map showed it being northwest of the Riverwood mill, so that’s where I headed. It was exactly hard to find either, once I spotted the large fallen tree nearby. A small pile of gold and a few gems later, I was nestled down against the stump, patiently awaiting nightfall. I found myself dozing off again, only this time I didn’t fight it.

After a dream-free nap, I awoke under the darkness of a night illuminated faintly by Masser and Secunda. All was quiet as I crept back near the cabin, and it appeared that Anise had turned in for the night. Creeping quietly forth, I snuck into her cabin and found her asleep in bed. A quick search of her belongings showed nothing out of the ordinary, and I had almost given it up before I spotted the hatch in the corner. A small trapdoor, partially buried in golden hay was just near her bed. Opening it quietly, I dropped down into the root cellar.

The poorly lit cellar was in a state of disarray. The floor was partially covered in water, with cobwebs and clutter lying in every nook and cranny. What stood out though, were the arcane enchanter and alchemy tables. So, she is up to something down here. A small note was lain amongst the ingredients on the sideboard against the wall. I picked it up, and it’s short message confirmed just what the hunter was wary of.

“Helgi, dear, why do you hesitate? You can feel the power coursing in your blood! You have only to reach out and grasp it! Renounce that boy of yours and come, come live with me in the forest. My sister will be here soon. Together, we can form a proper coven, and your training will truly begin.”
“Oh dear. This is worse than I thought. I need to get out of here...”

I climbed back up the ladder, and through the trap door. To my surprise (and brief horror), Anise was no longer asleep in bed. Slightly worried, I headed quietly back outside of the cabin. The witch stood a short ways away from me, waiting.

"Fool! None may know my secret!" And she dashed towards me, wielding the very fire spell that I was so adept at.